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October 13, 2008

Residents Return to Homes After Chemical Leak

by Sam Savage

The Associated Press

PETROLIA, Pa.

About 2,500 people who fled when a corrosive liquid overflowed from a tank at a chemical plant and evaporated were allowed to return home Sunday after authorities determined that no toxins remained in the air.

A material called oleum, similar to sulfuric acid, leaked from a tank at the Indspec Chemical Corp. plant Saturday and evaporated into a toxic cloud, plant manager Dave Dorko said.

All 30 employees of the plant in Petrolia, about 40 miles northeast of Pittsburgh, were evacuated and no injuries were reported, he said.

Authorities went door to door to warn the 2,500 people living within three miles to evacuate.

About 250 went to shelters in nearby Karns City, North Washington and Bruin.